Nas spits inspirational lyrics over a very prominent Beethoven sample.
From Rolling Stone:
"That was a groundbreaking period for me. That was my biggest radio record I ever had, and like ‘If I Ruled the World,’ it was used by tons of schools for their graduation. A song like that helped me because I have a daughter, and because I make so much music that when she was younger I didn’t want her to listen to, I owed her and other kids something, something real, something real that’s up their alley, to show that I cared, that I’m a human being, that I’m not just about giving you a tune about what happens in the ‘hood and all that every day. I’ve got to be a real human being, and that was one of my real human being records right there, for my daughter. So yeah, that’s one of the most important records I ever made."
I Can
Nas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
눈물 없이는 삼키지 못해
억지로 먹고 먹어도 속이 늘 허전해
노래를 들어도 흥얼대지도 못해
영화를 봐도 내가 뭘 본 건지 기억 못해
밥도 잘 먹지 못해 네가 생각날까 봐
네 생각에 체할까 봐 네가 떠난 후로
버스도 타지 못해 누가 날 욕할까 봐
우는 날 놀려댈까 봐 아무것도 못 해
너 없인 나 혼자 살지 못해
이제는 술을 마셔도
눈물 없이는 마시질 못해
아무리 병을 비워도 너만 더 생각해
살아서 뭐 해 넌 내 곁에 없는데
혼자 뭘 어째 아무것도 할 수 없는 난데
밥도 잘 먹지 못해 네가 생각날까 봐
네 생각에 체할까 봐 네가 떠난 후로
오늘도 눈물로 하루를 먹고 살아
버스도 타지 못해 누가 날 욕할까 봐
우는 날 놀려댈까 봐 아무것도 못 해
너 없인 나 혼자 살지 못해
너 없이 웃는 것도 난 못해
너 없이 걷는 것도 난 못해
아무것도 아무것도 못 해
내겐 네 사랑이 필요해
혼자 살아서 뭐 해
네가 더 잘 알잖아
너 없인 나 안 되잖아
너밖에 몰라서 너 없인
밥조차 먹지 못하는 나인데
차마 죽지도 못해
네가 돌아올까 봐 아무것도 못 해
오늘도 내일도 너만 원해
The Korean lyrics above are a translation of Nas’s song “I Can” which, when translated, talks about the feelings of a person who cannot live without their lover. Despite the fact that they try to eat or drink, they are unable to swallow, and they feel that everything around them is empty without their lover. Moreover, even when they try to distract themselves with music, films or other activities, their thoughts remain boggling, and they cannot forget their lover or what they had together. The pain is so intense, and the sense of loss so real that they feel they cannot even function properly without their lover. The lyrics reflect the pain and suffering of heartbreak and the toll it takes on a person.
The song “I Can” is one of the most famous tracks on Nas’s seventh studio album, ‘God’s Son’. It was released on April 22, 2003, by Columbia Records. The song was produced by Salaam Remi, it was originally inspired by Beethoven’s “Für Elise.” It is considered one of Nas’s signature songs, and its impact is evident in how much it has resonated with listeners for almost two decades.
Line by Line Meaning
이제는 밥을 먹어도
Even though I eat, I cannot swallow without tears
눈물 없이는 삼키지 못해
I cannot eat without tears
억지로 먹고 먹어도 속이 늘 허전해
Even if I force myself to eat, I always feel an emptiness inside
노래를 들어도 흥얼대지도 못해
Even if I listen to music, I cannot hum along
영화를 봐도 내가 뭘 본 건지 기억 못해
Even if I watch a movie, I cannot remember what I saw
밥도 잘 먹지 못해 네가 생각날까 봐
I cannot eat well because I am afraid you will cross my mind
네 생각에 체할까 봐 네가 떠난 후로
Ever since you left, I am scared of collapsing because I miss you
오늘도 눈물로 하루를 먹고 살아
I live every day eating tears
버스도 타지 못해 누가 날 욕할까 봐
I am afraid of being ridiculed by others, so I cannot even ride the bus
우는 날 놀려댈까 봐 아무것도 못 해
I cannot do anything because I am afraid of being laughed at on my crying days
너 없인 나 혼자 살지 못해
I cannot live alone without you
이제는 술을 마셔도
Even though I drink, I cannot drink without tears
눈물 없이는 마시질 못해
I cannot drink without tears
아무리 병을 비워도 너만 더 생각해
No matter how much I drink, I only think of you more
살아서 뭐 해 넌 내 곁에 없는데
What's the point in living when you're not by my side?
혼자 뭘 어째 아무것도 할 수 없는 난데
I'm nothing without you; I cannot do anything by myself
너 없이 웃는 것도 난 못해
I cannot even laugh without you
너 없이 걷는 것도 난 못해
I cannot even walk without you
아무것도 아무것도 못 해
I can't do anything anymore
내겐 네 사랑이 필요해
I need your love
혼자 살아서 뭐 해
What's the point in living alone?
네가 더 잘 알잖아
You know better
너 없인 나 안 되잖아
I can't live without you
너밖에 몰라서 너 없인
I don't know anyone else but you, so without you...
밥조차 먹지 못하는 나인데
I can't even eat without you
차마 죽지도 못해
I can't even bring myself to die
네가 돌아올까 봐 아무것도 못 해
I can't do anything because I'm waiting for you to come back
오늘도 내일도 너만 원해
I only want you today and tomorrow
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Yeon Jae Min, Min Soo Yun
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-qh9jw8oq4n
Born raised Philadelphia Brooklyn NY City!!!!
Straight from the slavery slumms you see....
Graduated high school 🏫 with assets for finances!!!
Architecture for infrastructure!!!
Clean energy for the skies!!!
Precious metals!!! Minerals!! Oils for capital growth!!!!
I love potassium bananas like the Congo I'm from!!!
I'll be where i wanna be!!!!!!
@shays.3104
“If the truth is told, the youth can grow.”
-Nas.
@felicianavile2566
If the truth is told, the youth can grow
@leighm
GROW and HEAL
@vidhanjain6511
Ral had a meaning back then
@kidddrunk
This year's mid terms in 2022 the Gen Z voters outvoted old white voters for the first time
@lc-ip7gh
If the truth is told, the youth can grow
@shermthetrainer
A song like this is really necessary right now
@wherethe3rdkenny
Let’s get this song trending you guys
@Michael.7777
Sooon.....💯✊
@fullmetalflix5195
My exact sentiments.
Hip hop is dead